Department for Transport

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Vacancies

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the shortfall of HGV drivers in Great Britain is addressed in the short term.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Department for Transport has regular discussions with the road haulage industry. We are working together to address the current HGV driver shortage, which is an issue affecting many countries worldwide. The Government has already taken firm action to bring new drivers into the industry as soon as possible. This includes funding apprenticeships and making an additional incentive payment available, training for jobseekers, and support for drivers to return to the sector, and doubling the number of vocational driving tests available. Further measures have been announced, including eliminating the need for car drivers to take an additional test to tow a trailer, delegating the HGV test reversing exercise and uncoupling and recoupling to a third party and making it quicker to get a licence to drive an articulated vehicle (Cat C+E), without first having to get a licence for a smaller vehicle (Cat C). These should increase lorry driver testing capacity by a further 50,000 tests a year.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings ofthe report by the Competition and Markets AuthorityElectric Vehicle Charging market study, published on 23 July; and what steps they intend to take in response to the issues raised.

Lord Callanan: The Government agrees with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that a comprehensive and competitive charging network is essential to support the country’s transition to electric vehicles. In line with the CMA’s recommendations, an Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Strategy will be published later this year. The Government committed £1.3 billion to EV infrastructure at the 2020 Spending Review. This includes the £950 million Rapid Charging Fund which will ensure that every Motorway Service Area in England has the grid capacity it needs to support the growth in EV usage to 2035. The Government has allocated £275 million in extended support for chargepoint installation at homes, workplaces, and on-street locations, and a further £90 million to support the roll out of larger, on-street charging schemes and rapid hubs in England.

Home Shopping: Internet

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to promote consumer confidence in buying online; and what assessment they have made of the performance of delivery companies in this regard.

Lord Callanan: Through the Consumer Right Act 2015 and other legislation, the Government ensures that consumers have specified rights when shopping online. Furthermore, the Government is consulting on measures to boost these online rights further, including proposals to prevent consumers being misled by fake reviews and preventing online exploitation of consumer behaviour. Ofcom is the UK’s independent regulator of postal services. It monitors competition and consumer protection in the sector. Ofcom is currently conducting a review of postal regulation so that it remains relevant and fit for purpose in the light of market changes. It intends to publish a consultation later this year before concluding the review next year.

Delivery Services: Coronavirus

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the importance of home parcel deliveries during the last 18 months to the health and well-being of the UK; what conclusions, if any, they have drawn from any such assessment; and what plans they have to further regulate home parcel deliveries to protect the public interest.

Lord Callanan: The Government recognises the important role that postal services have played in helping to mitigate the impact of coronavirus on individuals, families and businesses throughout the country. We remain committed to ensuring the universal postal service, through the universal service obligation, remains affordable and accessible to all users. Ofcom, as the UK’s designated independent regulator of postal services, is carrying out a review of the future regulatory framework for post which it aims to complete in 2022. As part of this review, Ofcom is considering whether extra consumer protections may be required and has sought views on the future regulation of the parcel delivery market. A Call for Inputs was launched on 11 March 2021 and closed on 20 May 2021. Ofcom intends to publish a full consultation on the future regulation of postal services later this year.

Bounce Back Loan Scheme: Employee Ownership

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to give struggling companies the option to convert emergency bounce back loans intoEmployee Ownership Trusts to support their post-pandemic recovery process.

Lord Callanan: The Government launched the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) to ensure that the UK’s smallest businesses could access loans of up to £50,000 to help businesses through the pandemic. Under BBLS, no repayments are due from the borrower for the first 12 months of the loan. The Government also covers the first 12 months of interest payments charged to the business by the lender. We have always been clear that businesses are responsible for repaying any finance they take out. However, we recognise that a diverse range of businesses have taken out Bounce Back Loans and some of these will benefit from more flexibility in making their repayments. That is why the Government introduced the “Pay as You Grow” measures, which allow borrowers to tailor their repayments to their individual circumstances. “Pay as You Grow” provides borrowers with the option to: Extend the length of their loan from six years tenMake interest-only payments for six months, with the option to use this up to three times throughout the loanPause repayments entirely for up to six months Borrowers can use these options either individually or in combination with each other. In addition, they have the option to fully repay their loan early and will face no early repayment charges for doing so. The Government is not currently considering proposals to convert outstanding Bounce Back Loans into equity.

Department of Health and Social Care

Travel: Quarantine

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to cover the cost of quarantine for those forced to flee Afghanistan, as a red list country.

Lord Kamall: There is a cross-Government effort to design a package for arrivals from Afghanistan, including the support that is needed to help these families relocate to the United Kingdom. The cost of managed quarantine is being considered in these discussions and we are actively looking to provide support where the need is greatest.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide vaccinations against COVID-19 during the winter 2021–22.

Lord Kamall: The National Health Service will be launching a booster programme to protect individuals who received vaccination in phase one of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in priority groups one to nine.The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advise that the booster vaccine dose is offered no earlier than six months after completion of the primary vaccine course and that the booster programme should as far as possible be deployed in the same order as during phase one. The first booster vaccine was administered on 16 September and the NHS plans to begin offering booster vaccines at scale to the most vulnerable from the week commencing 20 September 2021.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the occurrence of patients suffering fromGuillain-Barré syndrome following their COVID-19 vaccination; and which vaccines were involved in each case.

Lord Kamall: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has been closely monitoring and assessing all reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) during the COVID-19 vaccination program. GBS has occurred very rarely in individuals following vaccination in the United Kingdom. Whilst it was not possible to establish a causal association between any of the vaccines and GBS based on the available data, there was sufficient evidence to warrant a precautionary statement about these very rare reports in the AstraZeneca vaccine Product Information (PI) in order to alert patients and healthcare professionals of the signs and symptoms so that adequate supportive care and treatment can be sought and provided. This was included in the PI for the AstraZeneca vaccine in August 2021.

Department for Education

Employment and Further Education: Young People

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of research into young people's views on COVID-19 conducted by the Co-op,The Ghosted Generation, published 9 on September, which found that (1) two-thirds said job competition had increased during the pandemic, and (2) almost one third felt less likely to continue with futher education due to it; and what steps they intend to take to reverse this trend.

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to respond to the recommendation of the Co-op report The Ghosted Generation, published on 9 September, to appoint a Youth Minister.

Baroness Barran: At the end of 2020, 57.2% of 16 to 24 year olds were in education and training, the highest proportion on record. Whilst 11.5% of this age group were not in education, employment, or training (NEET), at the end of 2020, it is one of the lowest rates on record, the lowest being 11% at the end of 2017.Ministers at the Department for Education are aware of, and addressing, the issues highlighted by the Co-op report. The Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions are working jointly to monitor NEET rates, considering ways to support young people to continue developing the skills they will need for the future.Local authorities have a statutory duty to identify and support young people who are NEET. All 16 and 17 year olds are entitled to an offer of a suitable place in education or training under the September Guarantee, regardless of qualifications gained.A range of provision is available for young people aged 16 to 24 to equip them with the skills and experience they need to progress. This includes traineeships that prepare young people for apprenticeships and work through a combination of sector-focused skills development and work experience, and supported internships offering tailored support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.The Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools and Colleges programme provides targeted local and regional support on NEET prevention, to raise aspirations of young people in areas of disadvantage and support their post-education progression. It also offers support for local authorities to help them support young people during this time. This includes support activities for staff, teachers, and careers advisors to engage young people, and training workshops to develop knowledge.

Children in Care

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children are in unregistered residential accommodation.

Baroness Barran: Any setting that is providing care and accommodation must register with Ofsted as a children’s home. If a setting is providing care and accommodation but is operating without Ofsted registration, they are operating illegally as an ‘unregistered’ children’s home. We do not collect national data on how many children in England are in unregistered settings offering care and accommodation.Ofsted investigates notifications about potential unregistered children’s homes and in 2019/20 they undertook 250 investigations[1]. Of these, around a quarter should have been registered with Ofsted. Local authorities have a duty to ensure sufficient appropriate provision for the children they look after and that every looked-after child is placed in an appropriate care setting that meets their needs.[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofsted-annual-report-201920-education-childrens-services-and-skills/the-annual-report-of-her-majestys-chief-inspector-of-education-childrens-services-and-skills-201920.

Culture and English Language: Afghanistan

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide teaching and mentoring in English language and culture to recently arrived Afghan refugees; and how they plan to deliver this.

Baroness Barran: We know that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as well as to break down barriers to work and career progression. This is why we want to support all new arrivals to England to secure the English language skills they need.All Afghans being resettled through both the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme will be granted ‘indefinite leave to remain’ and therefore are eligible from arrival for funding through the Adult Education Budget, including English language courses. They will also receive a package of integration support to help them acclimatise, learn English and find work, which will enable rapid self-sufficiency and social integration. We will be working with the private, voluntary and community sectors to harness a whole of society effort to address this challenge.

Children: Day Care

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) affordability, and (2) availability, of childcare.

Baroness Barran: The government is committed to supporting families with the cost of childcare, which is why the government has made an unprecedented investment in childcare over the past decade.We have spent over £3.5 billion in each of the past three years on our early education entitlements and the government continues to support families with their childcare costs. The universal 15 hours entitlement, available for every three and four year old, can save parents up to £2,500 per year, and eligible working parents can apply for an additional 15 hours free childcare which can save them up to £5,000 if they use the full 30 hours. 30 hours free childcare was introduced in England in September 2017 and is an entitlement for working parents of three and four year olds, benefitting nearly 330,000 in January 2021.In addition to the free early education entitlements, the government offers Tax-Free Childcare for children from 0-11 years old, or up to 16 if disabled. This scheme means that for every £8 parents pay their provider via an online account, the government will pay £2 – up to a maximum contribution of £2,000 per child each year, or £4,000 if disabled. 308,000 families used Tax-Free Childcare for 364,000 children in June 2021.Parents may also benefit from Universal Credit. Working parents on a low income can get up to 85% of their childcare costs for children under 16 reimbursed through Universal Credit Childcare. This is subject to a monthly limit of £646 for one child or £1,108 for two or more children, payable in arrears.Last November, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced a £44 million investment for 2021 to 2022, for local authorities to increase hourly rates paid to childcare providers for the government’s free childcare entitlement offers.With regard to the availability of childcare, national data published by Ofsted shows that there were 72,000 childcare providers registered with them on 31 March 2021, a dip of 4%, or 3,300, since 31 August 2020. The data also shows that of that number, 2,800 were childminders or home child carers and not nurseries. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childcare-providers-and-inspections-as-at-31-march-2021.That data also shows that numbers of ‘childcare settings on non-domestic premises’, which is the Ofsted description of nurseries which are not based in schools, have remained fairly stable over time, with a drop of just 1% since 31 August 2015 and a decrease of 2%, or 400, between 31 August 2020 and 31 March 2021.Ofsted data currently shows that the number of places available to parents seeking childcare has remained broadly stable since August 2015. Additionally, the majority of eligible children aged two, three and four, have continued to access free childcare, despite the challenges faced throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. In a recent survey by Ipsos MORI in July 2021, only 6% of parents whose child was not receiving formal childcare said they would like to use formal childcare but have not been able to find a suitable provider. This is only approximately 2% of all parents.

Special Educational Needs: Reviews

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to complete their review of special educational needs.

Baroness Barran: The special educational needs and disability (SEND) review was set up to improve the outcomes for children and young people with SEND, with a focus on targeting and distributing resources in a way that best ensures children’s needs are met quickly and effectively.The department is working with a range of partners including children and young people with SEND, the Children’s Commissioner, parents and carers, system leaders, SEND sector organisations, representatives from educational establishments and many others.Proposals are being developed and we will consult publicly on them. We are not yet in a position to provide a firm date for publication of proposals but are looking to do so as soon as possible.

Department for Education: Ofsted

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was their response to the letter from Amanda Spielman, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, about Ofsted's monitoring of inspectorates for independent schools, sent to the Secretary of State for Education on 6 November 2018.

Baroness Barran: In her letter of 6 November 2018, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) recommended a review of the monitoring arrangements in place at the time and that new ones should be put in their place. Such a review was carried out by departmental officials, working alongside officials in Ofsted and at the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Following this review, new directions were issued to HMCI on 4 November 2019.The new arrangements outlined above were aimed at giving greater flexibility to Ofsted and ISI to develop a joint programme of work to exchange and develop their mutual knowledge and understanding of inspecting independent schools.It is worth noting that the School Inspection Service, which previously undertook inspections of some independent schools, has now closed and that there is now only one independent inspectorate, ISI. As such, and given the new directions issued on 4 November 2019, HMCI should no longer have regard to the matters in the February 2015 directions, which were the subject of the 6 November 2018 letter.

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: China

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many meetings they have had with the government of China since 12 January at which representatives of the Department for International Trade were present; and what was discussed at each of those meetings.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: Neither Ministerial colleagues nor officials in London have met with the Chinese administration during this time.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the devolved administrations regarding the UK’s application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: The Department has engaged extensively with the Devolved Administrations throughout the accession process thus far, both at the Chief Negotiator and at Ministerial level, including the sharing of negotiation positions in devolved areas. At every stage, we have taken into consideration their views and priorities. Our programme of engagement totals hundreds of hours at official level and dozens at Ministerial level.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Afghanistan: Refugees

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions the Foreign Secretary had with his Pakistani counterparts during his recent visit to that country regarding the plight of Afghanistan ethnic and religious minorities fleeing through Pakistan, whether the Foreign Secretary asked for assistance in assisting those Afghans to reach safe third countries; and, if so, what response he received.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The former Foreign Secretary met with Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Qureshi on 3 September and discussed working together, to support the people of Afghanistan and to ensure safe passage out of the country. We will continue to explore all routes (air or land) with neighbouring countries, and what means can be put in place for Afghans to come to the UK, where that is their most appropriate destination. The PM is clear that we will support vulnerable and at risk groups, including ethnic and religious minorities, to come to the UK where appropriate.

Papua: Internally Displaced People

Lord Lexden: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Indonesia, if any, regarding the displacement of villagers in West Papua; and what response they received.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of reports of internal civilian displacement in the provinces of Papua and West Papua following recent violent clashes between separatists and Indonesian security forces. The UK fully respects the territorial integrity of Indonesia, including the provinces of Papua and West Papua. Within this framework, we strongly support the efforts of the Indonesian authorities and civil society to address the legitimate concerns of the people of Papua and West Papua provinces, including strengthening human rights protections, providing humanitarian assistance and ensuring that all Papuans benefit from the sustainable and equitable development of their province. We support the proposed visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Papua and encourage both sides to agree on dates for a visit.

Papua: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Lord Lexden: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Indonesia in support of a visit to West Papua by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and what response they have received.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of reports of internal civilian displacement in the provinces of Papua and West Papua following recent violent clashes between separatists and Indonesian security forces. The UK fully respects the territorial integrity of Indonesia, including the provinces of Papua and West Papua. Within this framework, we strongly support the efforts of the Indonesian authorities and civil society to address the legitimate concerns of the people of Papua and West Papua provinces, including strengthening human rights protections, providing humanitarian assistance and ensuring that all Papuans benefit from the sustainable and equitable development of their province. We support the proposed visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Papua and encourage both sides to agree on dates for a visit.

Crimea: Politics and Government

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representation they sent to the Crimea Platform summit hosted by President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine in Kyiv on 23 August.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: At the Prime Minister's request, the Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas led the UK delegation to the International Crimea Platform summit on 23 August. She was accompanied by the Minister for Defence Procurement, who also represented the UK at the military parade commemorating 30 years since Ukraine's declaration of independence on 24 August.

Transcaucasus and Ukraine:  Peace Negotiations

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made ofthe Minsk Agreement; and whether they have investigated possible alternatives to support a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government fully supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to settle all outstanding matters related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as set out in the Madrid Principles. The UK Government believes the Minsk Group remains the most appropriate mechanism to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict and has no plans to consider an alternative mechanism at this time.

UN Climate Conference 2021: Taiwan

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to allow Taiwanese representatives to participate in informal gatherings at COP26.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government welcomes the contribution Taiwan is voluntarily making to combat climate change, despite not being a signatory to the Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UK Government has consistently stated its support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations where statehood is not a requirement and where we believe Taiwan has a valuable contribution to make on issues of global concern. This includes climate change, which recognises no territorial boundaries.

Armenia: Azerbaijan

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of theimportance for the peace process of the government of Armenia releasing Azerbaijani prisoners of war; and what conversations they have had with the government of the United States of Americaon this issue.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: During visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan in February, the Minister for the European Neighbourhood and Americas urged both parties to work with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to expedite the return of all prisoners of war. In her most recent conversations with the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers, on 14 June and 6 September respectively, the Minister for the European Neighbourhood and Americas raised the importance of the return of all prisoners of war and detainees and welcomed the most recent exchanges that have taken place. The UK continues to work with partners, including the United States in its capacity as Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, to encourage Armenia and Azerbaijan to settle all matters related to last year's conflict including the return of all prisoners of war and detainees.

South Sudan: Politics and Government

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the political and security situation in South Sudan and, in particular, the impact on the peace process of the reportedattempt to oust Vice President Riek Machar.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: South Sudan remains one of the world's most fragile states, with 7.2 million people facing acute food insecurity and high levels of sub-national violence. The full and inclusive implementation of the 2018 Peace Agreement remains South Sudan's best chance for sustainable peace and stability and recent progress, such as the formation of a new national legislature is welcome. Overall implementation however, is slow and inconsistent: important tasks such as the unification of armed forces have been significantly delayed, contributing to increased instability and a worsening humanitarian situation.This slow and partial implementation of the Peace Agreement has generated discontent among several parities in recent months. This includes a split within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement 'In Opposition' (SPLM-IO) but 1st Vice President Riek Machar remains in post. In a Troika statement (with Norway and the US) on 13 August we called for all parties to abide by the Peace Agreement, for signatories to show a greater sense of unity, and for an end to the fostering of divisions and splits that risk further delays to the peace process and violence. Where there are legitimate grievances, however, we have made clear that it is important for voices to be heard and for freedom of expression to be protected.

UN Climate Conference 2021: Taiwan

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to ensure that Taiwan is represented at COP26.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government welcomes the contribution Taiwan is voluntarily making to combat climate change, despite not being a signatory to the Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UK Government has consistently stated its support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations where statehood is not a requirement and where we believe Taiwan has a valuable contribution to make on issues of global concern. This includes climate change, which recognises no territorial boundaries.

Azerbaijan: UNESCO

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to ask the government of Azerbaijan to allow full access to all the parts of (1) Armenia, (2) Nagorno-Karabakh, and (3) Nakhchivan, that officials from UNESCO wish to visit.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government continues to urge the Governments of both Armenia and Azerbaijan to allow international organisations unrestricted access to all areas of the region. This includes pressing both sides to ensure UNESCO is able to undertake its crucial work in support of historical and cultural heritage. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas has raised this issue with the Armenian and Azerbaijani Governments, including during her visit to the region in February. Our Embassies in Baku and Yerevan continue to raise the question of access with both Governments.

Myanmar: Minority Groups

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Myanmar to promote a right to citizenship in Myanmar for (1) Rohingya Muslims, and (2) other religious minorities in Myanmar.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has had no high level engagement with the military regime in Myanmar since the 1 February coup. Nevertheless, we have publicly called for the removal of restrictions that withhold citizenship from individuals who are not from a community recognised by the Myanmar authorities as a 'national race', such as the Rohingya, including through the UN Human Rights Council. The UK has supported the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission's to reform the 1982 Citizenship Law and is clear that Myanmar must fully implement them. Minister Adams raised Myanmar's discriminatory citizenship laws with his counterpart in the civilian National League for Democracy (NLD) government last year.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Deep Sea Mining

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what position they took on motion 69 at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s World Conservation Congress relating to the protection of deep-ocean ecosystems, biodiversity, and a moratorium on seabed mining; and for what reason they adopted that position.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: At the IUCN World Conservation Congress, the UK abstained from voting on the motion for a moratorium on deep-sea mining because it did not fully align with UK policy. However, there is no deep-sea mining currently happening in areas beyond national jurisdictions, there are no exploitation licences for deep-sea mining, and no exploitation regulations have yet been agreed. In addition, the UK has committed not to sponsor or support the issuing of any exploitation licences for deep-sea mining projects unless and until there is sufficient scientific evidence about the potential impact on deep-sea ecosystems and strong and enforceable environmental regulations and standards have been developed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and are in place. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), it is the role of the ISA to regulate and control all mineral-related activities in the international seabed area for the benefit of mankind as a whole. In so doing, the ISA has the duty to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed activities. The UK has a strong and respected voice in these international negotiations and the UK position emphasises the need to ensure that the highest possible environmental standards are met in the development of this new industry. We judge that engaging fully with these negotiations is the most effective way for the UK to work with others so that no deep-sea mining takes place in the absence of strong and enforceable environmental regulations and standards. This includes requiring that Regional Environmental Management Plans are adopted for each region before any exploitation licence can even be considered, as well as the adoption of strong and enforceable environmental Standards and Guidelines.

Plastics: Recycling

Lord Robathan: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is anylegal or regulatory restriction preventing suppliers from taking back and reusing large plastic sacks that have contained animal feed or fertilizer; and, if so, whether they plan to review this restriction.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: There are no specific restrictions in fertiliser legislation preventing suppliers from reusing fertiliser sacks. However, guidance around the storage and handling of certain fertilisers such as ammonium nitrate may still apply, which could impact on the feasibility of reusing fertiliser sacks. For example, the Health and Safety Executive recommends precautions to prevent the risk of contamination and spillage, including that bags should be completely sealed on filling. In practice, the reuse of large sacks used by farmers is likely to be limited as they are usually cut open to transfer the fertiliser into the spreading equipment.There are no provisions in UK animal feed legislation preventing the reuse of plastic sacks. However, feed business operators must demonstrate through their feed safety management systems that the packaging materials used for feed are safe and do not have an adverse effect on animal health, human health, and the environment.

Home Office

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many migrants are knownto have crossed the English Channel by unauthorised or irregular sea transport and landed in England in each week during 2021.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office collates figures of channel migrant arrivals for management information purposes, and weekly arrivals data is therefore held. However, the Home Office preference for validation and assurance of data is for monthly figures as weekly data are not representative of trends and other factors that we deem important to understand small boat crossings.The following figures for both monthly and weekly arrivals of migrants by small boat in 2021 are from a live database, and are subject to revision following those data validation and assurance processes.Week commencingWeek endingTotal arrivals by small boat28/12/202003/01/20215804/01/202110/01/202116111/01/202117/01/20213618/01/202124/01/2021025/01/202131/01/20211701/02/202107/02/20216208/02/202114/02/2021015/02/202121/02/20212322/02/202128/02/202122301/03/202107/03/202115008/03/202114/03/202111515/03/202121/03/20211022/03/202128/03/202132729/03/202104/04/202125905/04/202111/04/20214912/04/202118/04/20218219/04/202125/04/202127226/04/202102/05/202159403/05/202109/05/202113010/05/202116/05/202159217/05/202123/05/20212924/05/202130/05/202152831/05/202106/06/202173207/06/202113/06/202150814/06/202120/06/202135221/06/202127/06/202140028/06/202104/07/202193305/07/202111/07/202164212/07/202118/07/202150419/07/202125/07/2021152926/07/202101/08/202116002/08/202108/08/2021128209/08/202115/08/202190216/08/202122/08/202186923/08/202129/08/2021030/08/202105/09/202116506/09/202112/09/20211862  DateTotal arrivals by small boatJan-21224Feb-21308Mar-21831Apr-21750May-211627Jun-212177Jul-213512Aug-213053Sep-21 (to 12 Sept)2027

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the annual cost of each illegal migrant that is picked up by Border Force having crossed the English Channel by boat.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Data on the costs of migrants from this specific group is not collected. The cost of the asylum system to the taxpayer was published in the New Plan for Immigration policy statement.New Plan for Immigration policy statementhttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/972517/CCS207_CCS0820091708-001_Sovereign_Borders_Web_Accessible.pdfImmigration and Protection datahttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-and-protection-data-q1-2021Table - UKVI_IP_Q1_2021  (xlsx, 431.9KB)New Plan for Immigration Policy Statement  (pdf, 836.6KB)

Undocumented Migrants: Deportation

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many illegal immigrants have been deported from the UK in each of the last 12 months.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office publishes data on the number of returns from the UK in each quarter in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly release’. The latest data on enforced returns (of which ‘deportations’ is a subset) go to the end of March 2021 and are published in Ret_D01 of the Returns detailed tables.The term 'deportations' refers to a legally-defined subset of returns, which are enforced either following a criminal conviction, or when it is judged that a person’s removal from the UK is conducive to the public good. The published statistics refer to enforced returns which include deportations, as well as cases where a person has breached UK immigration laws and those removed under other administrative and illegal entry powers that have declined to leave voluntarily. Figures on deportations, which are a subset of enforced returns, are not separately available.The Home Office seeks to return people who do not have any legal right to stay in the UK, which includes people who:enter, or attempt to enter, the UK illegally (including people entering clandestinely and by means of deception on entry);overstay their period of legal right to remain in the UK;breach their conditions of leave;are subject to deportation action; for example, due to a serious criminal conviction andhave been refused asylum.

Refugees: English Channel

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of deaths which could be caused by their policy of turning back boats of refugees in the Channel; and what assessment they have made of the implications of this policy for the UK’s international reputation.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: These crossings are dangerous, illegal and unnecessary. Lives have been lost through them and we will do everything to deter such crossings and so ultimately reduce the risk to life.

Treasury

Musical Instruments: Customs

Baroness Merron: To ask Her Majesty's Government what projections HMRC has made of the number of ATA Carnet applications it will need to process in (1) 2021/22, and (2) 2022/23.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: When moving goods temporarily into or out of the UK, an ATA Carnet provides an option which can help simplify customs formalities by allowing a single document to be used for clearing goods through customs in the countries that are part of ATA Carnet system. The use of a carnet is optional and is a commercial decision depending on an individual or business’s specific circumstances. In the UK, ATA Carnets are administered by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). International travel has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the number of goods movements using ATA Carnets has dropped. At the moment it is difficult to project numbers with any certainty. Numbers are likely to increase owing to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and the gradual lifting of travel restrictions throughout the world. HMRC, in conjunction with the LCCI and Border Force, monitor ATA Carnet usage on a regular basis. An alternative option to an ATA Carnet is the use of the Temporary Admission procedure in conjunction with Returned Goods Relief. Temporary Admission is a customs special procedure that may be used to temporarily import goods into the UK without payment of duties subject to relevant conditions being met. Businesses and individuals returning goods to the UK, having temporarily imported them to another customs territory, can claim relief from import VAT and any customs duty under Returned Goods Relief providing specific conditions are met. Returned Goods Relief applies to goods exported from the UK and re-imported in an unaltered state. The EU operates similar procedures therefore, for goods moving temporarily to the EU, the EU’s Temporary Admission procedure may be applicable, and the EU’s Returned Goods Relief may apply where goods are returned to the EU having been temporarily imported into the UK. The management of EU import and export procedures is the responsibility of the customs authorities of the EU Member States.